Snorkeling at Manta Ray Passage

How to get to Manta Ray Passage snorkeling spot?

Manta Ray Passage is the name given to the channel that separates the north tip of Drawaqa island and the south-western extremity of Naviti Island, in the Yasawa archipelago.

This site is known for the almost daily visits of many manta rays, between May and October, especially at the turn of the tide. They come to feed in the plankton-rich current, formed between the two islands.

In order to set off to a manta ray encounter, the most comfortable solution is to stay at Barefoot Manta Island (on Drawaqa Island) or Mantaray Island Resort (on Nanuya Balavu Island), the two closest hotels to the spot (less than 5 minutes by boat). These hotels are first to be informed of the presence of manta rays in the passage and can dispatch their boats at the right time.

The price of a boat trip is around FJD 65/person. Other nearby hotels, especially Botaira Resort and Paradise Cove, as well as the small village of Soso (on Naviti island) are also good starting points for snorkeling trips to the passage.

Water entrance for snorkeling Manta Ray Passage

You get into the water from a boat, after having spotted the manta rays at the surface. The passage is about 350m wide and, due to the sometimes strong currents formed within, swimming to the passage from the shore is prohibited.

Manta Ray Passage snorkeling tips

The snorkeling area covers the whole passage, about 350m wide. The seabed is covered in stony corals oxygenated by the currents, around which gravitate blue tangs, damsels and surgeonfish. The water depth does not exceed 10 to 13ft (3 to 4m) on a large section of the area, except for the centre of the passage, where there is a deeper channel (↕20-25ft/6-8m).

The manta rays which visit the passage are reef manta rays, and can reach a span of 3 to 5m. They swim alone or in groups of up to 4 or 5 individuals, in the deeper areas, as well as right below the surface of the water.

Accompanying the manta rays in their graceful swim is an incredible experience. They seem to “fly” majestically flapping their wings in the crystal waters of the Pacific. Some of them perform underwater “loopings”, by filtering the water with their gill slits in order to extract the plankton and other microscopic animals they feed on. Most of the manta rays do not seem to be bothered by the presence of snorkelers and can be easily approached.

Manta Ray Passage is one of the best spots in Fiji for swimming with the manta rays. Nevertheless, they are wild animals and there might be cases when no manta ray visits the passage for days, even in high season. Some trip organizers propose a second outing to the spot, free of charge if no manta rays could be seen during the first visit.

Restaurants and accommodation near Manta Ray Passage

Several hotels can be found close to Manta Ray Passage, especially Barefoot Manta Island (facing the passage), Mantaray Island Resort (1.5km from the spot), Paradise Cove and Botaira Resort (both of them at approx. 4km by boat from the passage).

Have a look at these manta rays 👇 shot in Manta Ray Passage by pcamus.